Carton forming apparatus and method



July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD 16' Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6,1955 mmm . INVENTORSZ mm/E2 (Ltumzls, BERNARD D- DAus, 8 MAURICE B. DUNNand J'osBPHRSweuums.

ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 Filed April 6, 1955 G. c. CURRIE ET AL' 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 2 G12ovE1aC.Cum2n=., BERNARD V. VANS,

Nms MAURICE 5.17m: N am! .TosEPH 12 5 E3 5 W rm ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6'. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet3 Gnzovmz C. CURRHE, BERNARD V. VANs,

MAumcE B.VUNN and .TosEPH R. 5wEsmms,.

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Jilly 1959 v G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet4 INVENTORSZ Gnaovsa C. Cumam, BERNARD D. DANS 1 g MAUEKZE B. DUNN andJOSEPH P. Swzemms.

BY {Gibb-km ATTORNEYS y l959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL I 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Apx il e. 1955 1e Sheets-Sheet5' Gnaovsn C. Cumanz, BERN/mu 17. VANs, Mmnucz B. Dunn and Joszvu T2.Swzsmms.

' mvENroRs BY M A'I'I'ORNEY5 y 1959 G. c. CURRIE ETAL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet6 INVENTORS GROVER C. Cumanz, BERNARD' 17. VANS. MAURICE B. DUNN andJoszPn 12. Swesmms.

ATTORNEYS G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD July 7, 1959 Filed April 6. 1955 16Sheets-Sheet 7 GEovEEC-CUREE, BERNARD V. VANs, Mmmcz B. 17mm and JoannE. S

W'EGI NN\5 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS y I959 G. c. CURRIE ETAI. 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet8 6020 152 C.Cume\E, BERNARD V, DANs,

u E? R. waemms. MAUEKZEB D NN anclJos H S INVENTORS BY W IML ATTORNEY Sy 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

- CARTON FORMING APPARATUS ANDYMETHOD Filed April 6, 1955 1sSheets-Sheet 9" INVENTORS'.

Guam/2?. QCumzha, Bznnmw V. Ems,

F MAUQICE B. Dunn and JosiPH 12. Smmmms.

ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 Filed A m e, 1955 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 1O GRovEE. QcumauzBERNARV V. VANS;

IV NN 2 Sw'EG|NN\s. MAURACEB u anall'oszvn mvENTORs ATTORNEYS 'July 1959G. c. CURRIE ET AL 7 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6. Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed April 6,1955 G'QOVEE. C. CURRVE, BERNARV D. VANS,

MAURICE BVUNN and IosEvHP. Swmmms INVENTORS ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 G. c.CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

I V I CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April e, 1955 1eSheets-Sheet 12 y 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet15 Cmovm C. CumznaBsnNmaw De VANs, MAu1z\cE B. VUNN andJbSEPH E. wzsmms.

INVENTORS "BY QI-+ ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE ET AL 2,893,183

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 6. 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet1 4.v

II III. lul lllll.

INVENTORS. Gnzovmz C.CUR12IE,BEENARD D. DANs, MAURICE B. 17mmandJ'os-spu R. Swsomms.

ATTORNEY 3 July 7, 1959 G. c. CURRIE El AL 2, 3,1

CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD l6 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed April 6,1955 INVENTORS; Geovmz C. C mamE. BERNARV V. VANS, MAURICE 1117mmanJJbsEPn P. Swzsmms.

ATTORNEY 5 July 7, 1959 c. CURRIE ET AL CARTON FORMING APPARATUS ANDMETHOD Filed April 6, 1955 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 -55 GROVER C.CUERIE,BE'RNA'R'D V. VANS, MmlcE B. DuNNmdJ'osh-PH R, wicmms.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent CARTON FORMING APPARATUS AND METHODGrover Cleveland Currie, Bernard David Dans, Maurice B. Dunn, and JosephRobert Sweginnis, Charlotte, N.C., assignors to Dacam Corporation,Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Application April 6,1955, Serial No. 499,652

16 Claims. (Cl. 53-29) This invention relates to packaging machinery andmore especially to an improved machine for forming substantiallyrectangular cartons or carriers from flat cardboard or paper boardblanks and wherein articles, such as mens hose and the like, may beplaced in the cartons during the process of forming and closing thecartons.

It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic packagingmachine having a magazine for receiving a stack of flat substantiallycross-shaped carrier blanks or carton blanks, preferably made fromcardboard, and including means for feeding the blanks, one at a time,onto a plate of a first folding mechanism which automatically forms eachsuccessive blank into the shape of a substantially rectangularfour-walled container While projecting the blank downwardly through arectangular die into one of a series of intermittently movable pocketsof predetermined depth.

Thus, the blank is then formed into a container having leading andtrailing end flaps and first and second side flaps projecting upwardlyfrom the respective walls of the container and wherein the second sideflap is substantially longer than the first side flap. After eachsuccessive blank has been formed into said substantially rectangularcontainer, it moves past a station at which articles may be eithermanually or otherwise placed in each successive container, in the courseof which the second relatively long side flap is folded outwardly abovethe upper edge of the corresponding pocket. Thereafter, each successivecontainer is advanced beneath a folding plate which overlies the path oftravel of said pockets so the leading end flap is folded beneath thehorizontal folding plate and whereupon a novel form of knock-over camengages and knocks over the trailing end flap to fold the same so thatit will also readily pass beneath the horizontal folding plate.

Thereafter, the relatively short first flap is folded downwardlysubstantially at the same time that a narrow band of liquid adhesive isapplied to the endmost portion of the second flap. The second flap isthen overfolded and each successive carton then is advanced to aposition in alinement with a transversely reciprocable ejector mechanismwhich ejects each successive carton or container thus formed into adischarge chute, said chute extending outwardly in substantiallyright-angular relation to the path of travel of the series ofintermittently movable pockets.

As each successive carton is ejected from the corresponding pocket insaid series, it is moved beneath a holddown member which tends to pressthe top wall thus formed on the carton or carrier against the remainderof the carton tocause the second flap to adhere to the first side fiapand, at this time, a printing device prints desired indicia on thebottom of the container thus formed to indicate the style, color, size,etc. identifying the nature of the contents of the correspondingpackage. Thereafter, as each successive container is subsequentlyejected from the corresponding pocket in said series, it

engages a previously ejected container to move the containers beneath anormally raised pressure applying mechanism which, during each movementof the series of pockets, moves downwardly and applies pressure to theupper surfaces of the containers therebeneath to thereby press thesecond flap tightly against the first relatively short flap of thecontainer to insure that they are tightly adhesively interconnected.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of theimproved carton or container forming and sealing apparatus;

Figures 2 and 2-A are, collectively, an enlarged top plan view of theimproved machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail elevation of a single revolution clutchmechanism taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 is an enlarged rear or feed-end elevation of the machinelooking at the right-hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view takensubstantially along line 55 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged front or discharge end elevation of the improvedmachine looking at the left-hand side of Figure 1;

Figures 7 and 7-A are, collectively, an enlarged elevation looking atthe opposite side of the machine from that shown in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 8-A are, collectively, a longitudinal vertical sectionalview through the machine, Figure 8 being taken substantially along line8-8 in Figure 2 and Figure 8-A being taken substantially along line8-A8A in Figure 2-A;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially along line 9-9 in Figure 8-A showing a detail of the valveused for controlling the feeding of carton blanks into the machine;

Figures 10 and lO-A are, collectively, another longitudinal verticalsectional view through the machine looking in the opposite directionfrom that shown in Figures 8 and 8-A, Figure 10 being takensubstantially along line 10-10 in Figure 2-A and Figure 10-A being takensubstantially along the line 10-A-1i9-A in Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevation, partially in section, similar tothe upper left-hand portion of Figure 10-A showing parts of the adhesiveor glue applying apparatus in a different position;

Figure 12 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view lookingtoward the blank feeding section of the machine substantially along line12-12 in Figure 1;

Figure 13 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through thearticle ejecting mechanism or station looking forwardly substantiallyalong line 1313 in Figure 1;

Figure 14 (Sheet 7) is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the printingmechanism looking substantially along line 1414 in Figure 13;

Figure 15 (Sheet 7) is a sectional plan view taken along line 1515 inFigure 14;

Figure 16 (Sheet 14) is a plan view showing a form of carton blank whichmay be folded and formed into a carton, container, or package by theimproved machine;

Figure 17 is a somewhat schematic, partially exploded isometric view,with parts in section and parts broken away, showing the manner in whichthe first folding or forming operation is performed on each successivecarton blank;

Figure 18 is another somewhat schematic isometric view showing amechanism for performing steps subsequent to that shown in Figure 17including gluing one of the flaps of the carton, performing second,third and fourth folding operations in sequence, and showing parts ofthe ejector mechanism and the means for applying pressure -to thecompleted carton to permit setting of theglue or other adhesive;

Figure 19 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially along line 19-19 in Figure 18, omitting the knock-over cam63 and the adhesive-applying roller 56;

Figure 20 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially along line 20-20 in Figure '7-A. BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF MACHINEThe improved machine or apparatus is particularly devised for feedingfiat paperboard or cardboard carton blanks or carrier blanks broadlydesignated at B, wherein a blank feeding mechanism broadly designated at(Figures 4 and 8-21) picks up the uppermost blank B from a stack andthen moves forwardly todeposit the blank upon a die plateor platform 11of a first folding orjfoi'ming station broadly designated at 12.

In order to facilitate succeeding steps in the operation of the improvedmachine, the carton blank 3 is preferably constructed in the manner tobe now described (Figure 16). The carton blank includes a main bodyportion or bottom 15, opposite side walls :16, 17, a relatively narrow"or short side overflap and a relatively wide side 'overfiap or top wall21. The portions15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 are disposed in alinement and theblank is suitably scored or creased at the junctures of the side walls16, 17 with the body portion or bottom 15, as at a, b, ies'pectivel'y.Suitable score or crease lines c, d are also formed at the junctures ofthe portiens 16, 20 and 17,21. A

The body portion 15 also has end walls 22, 23 connected to opposite endsthereof and defined by score lines in crease line's e, f and the outerends of the end walls 22, 23 have respective flaps 24, 25 thereondefined by score o'r crease lines g, h, opposite side edges of the blankB being severed or cut for a relatively short length thereof inalinement with the score lines or crease lines g,j1, as at i, 1',respectively.

Opposite ends "of the side walls 16, 17 have respective pairs of smallend 'tabs 26, 27 and 28, 29 thereon, the blank being creased or scoredat the junctures of these fabswith the "side "wan portie'ris 16, 17, asindicated at k, land m, it, respectively. The outer portions of the tabs26 to 29, inclusive, are preferably of less width than the sidewallportions 16, 17 'to form a shoulder 30 on each bf said tabs whoselength is substantially the same length as 'e'a'ch'ofthe correspondingslots i, 1' so that, when the flaps 24, are folded over the upper edgesof the tabs 26, wand 27, 29, respectively, in a 'rnanner'to be laterdescribed, the shoulders 30 will penetrate the corresponding but linesi, '1' to thereby lock the end walls 22, 23 against 'theouter surfacesof the respective pairs of tabs 26, 28 and 27,29.

Referring to Figures 2-A, 8--A, 12 and 17, it will be observed that thesubstantially horizontally disposed "die plate 11 of the first foldingmechanism 12 has a'substantial-Iy cross-shaped opening therein, belowwhich a substantially rectangular tubular die 36 is positioned,thistubular die 36 being'of substantially the saine internal dimensionsas the bottom 15 of the blank B. The tubular are 36 is connected to thedistal persons or the wings of the substantially cross-shaped 'openingin the die plate or platforr'n 11 by means or upwardly diverginginellned "die walls 36a to 36d, inclusive. These die walls -361: to 36d,inclu'sive, are preferably formed integral the die plate 11'so theportions of the die plate between adjacent inclined "die walls 36am 36cdefine tab folding projections 40 to 43, inclusive. I

As each successive blank B is released by the blank ffceding mechanism10 the cdrr'esponding blank is .posiusnsaever meeres'ssrapeae enin 35with the beam 5 4 wall 15 of the blank disposed in vertical alinementwith the tubular die 36, whereupon a first fold block or punch 45, whichis normally spaced substantially above the die plate 11 and in verticalalinement with the tubular die 36, moves downwardly to press the bodyportion or bottom 15 of the blank B into and through the tubular die 36.After this operation the blank B is, in fact, a container or carton andwill be referred to as such. In so doing, the side walls and end walls16, 17, 22 and 23 of the blank are folded upwardly at an anglealongtherespective crease lines a, b, e and 1 (Figures 16 and 17) and the endtabs 26 to 29, inclusive, are engaged by the respective tab foldingprojections 40 to 43, inclusive, and thus folded upwardly insubstantially right angular relationship to the respective side walls16, 17 as is clearly shown in Figure 17.

With further downward movement of the punch 45, the sidewalls 16, '17are caused to extend upwardly in substantially right angularrelationship to the bottom wall 15. In so doing, the tabs 26 to 29,inclusive, substantially overlie the crease lines :2, f so the end walls'22, 23 then bear against the outer surfaces of the respective pairs oftabs 26, 2S and 27, 29.

The lower edges of the side walls of the tubular die 36 are spaced abovethe rear -or feed end portions of a pair of laterally spacedlongitudinally extending carton side wall guiding bars 46, 16' which areshown in the form of angle bars and 'between which the upper run orreach of a conveyor, broadly designated at 47, moves. The conveyor 47 isin the form of an endless sprocket chain 50 having a plurality of spacedpockets thereon eachof which pockets is formed by a pair oflongitudinally spaced angle plates 51, '52. The vertical portions of theangle plates 51, 52 serve as carton end wall supporting elements, thehorizontal portions of the angle plates 51, 52 serve as the bottoms ofthe corresponding pockets for supporting the bottom 15 of "each'successivecarton blank and the carton side wall guide plates 46, 4'6serve as the's'ide walls 6f the pockets.

Thus, the punch plate 45 'for'ceseach successive carton blank Bdownwardly through the tubular die 36 and into a corresponding pocket51, 52 then positioned therebeneath, the conveyor 47 being advanced in astep-byste'p manner, by means 'to be later described, so the convey'or47 is stationary as each successive carton thus formed from a blank B ispositioned'in one of the pockets thereof. It will be observed in thelower left-hand portion'of Figure 17 that the flaps 20, 24, 25 remain insubstantial alinement with the respective walls 16, 22, 213 o'f'thecart'onB as each successive pocket in the conveyor '47 is advancedbeyond the first folding station 12.

The 'top 'wall or large over-flap 21 also extends in substantialalinement with the corresponding wall 17 at this time. However, as theconveyor subsequently advances the corresponding carton B, *theinnersurface of the wide over-flap or to'pwall 21 or the'c'orrespondi'ngcarton B is engaged alstationary deflecting arm, rod 'orfi'n'ger'53which folds "the top "wall or wide over-flap I21 e-f'the carwas;ontwar'd ly along the crease line d, against the upper edge of the"sidewall guiding bar "46. The lateral plane of the portionof themachine at which the deflecting rod or finger '53 'is disposed may betermed as acart'on load in'g-o'r filli'ng station, since the rod orfinger '53 holds the top flap or wall 21 of the carton B in openposition so that articles, such as "rn'ens hose, ma be either manuallyor automatically placed in each successive carton as it is positionedadjacent'thefo'rwa'rd free end of the deflecting rod'or fin'ger53.

Thereafter, each successive ca'rto'n, as formed thus far f'ro'm'acorresponding blank *B, is passed through a "second folding and gluingor adhesive applying station broadly designated at '55 which includes acontinuously "driven glue-applying -or adhesive-applying wheel or roller56 (Figures '7 -A, 9, 10-'A, 18 and 20) -to whose periphery a supply ofliquidadhesive or glue is applied by means to be later described. Thesecond folding mechanism is in the form of an angle plate broadlydesignated at 57 and includes a substantially horizontally disposedplate member 60 which overlies the corresponding portions of the sidewall guiding plates 46, 46 in closely spaced relationship thereto andwhose rear edge is turned upward- 1y, as at 61, and is also formed witha relatively narrow opening or slot 62 therein (Figures 18 and 19).

. The rear portion of plate 60 serves as a leading end flap foldingmeans, since the rounded rear edge 61 of plate 60 is disposed in thepath of the end flap 24, on the wall 22 of the carton B, and folds thisflap 24 downwardly in substantially parallel relation to the bottom 15of the carton B. It will be noted (Figure 19) that the rear portion ofthe plate 60 also extends laterally outwardly beyond the vertical planeof the side wall guiding bar or plate 46 to thereby insure that the topwall flap 21 remains in an outward position with respect to thecorresponding pockets 51, 52.

As each successive carton formed from a blank B is advanced to aposition beneath the rear portion of the plate 60, a trailing end flapfolder in the form of a knockover cam 63 (Figures 6, 8, l8 and 20),whose lower portion, at times, extends partially through the opening 62in the rear portion of plate 60, momentarily rotates in a clockwisedirection in Figure 18 as a step is imparted to the conveyor 47 so thata flat radially projecting surface 64 on the cam 63 engages the outer orrear surface of the end flap 25 to move the same downwardly andforwardly. Since the corresponding carton B is also in the course offorward movement at this time, the end flap 25 then engages the roundedsurface 61 and is deflected be neath the plate 60 and thus folded inperpendicular relationship or right-angular relationship to the rear endwall 23.

Upon completion of the latter step the relatively short top flap 20 ispositioned against the inner surface of an auxiliary side Wall guidingmember 65 alined with the inner surface of the side wall guiding plate46. The auxiliary side wall guiding member 65 is spirally formed at 66thereby forming a short flap overfolding member which folds the flap 20inwardly and downwardly in horizontal position overlying the bottom 15of the carton B. The plate 60 has an opening or cut away portion 67therein through which the short ovelflap 28 passes in advance of itspassing beneath the horizontal portion of plate 60.

Now, it will be noted that the medial portion of plate 60 is recessed atits free edge remote from the vertical portion 65 of angle plate 57, asat 70, and a spirally formed top wall over-flap folding element 71 ispositioned adjacent the recess 70. In the course of movement of eachsuccessive carton lblank B before it approaches the top wall foldingelement 71, the then upper surface of the top wall 21 of carton B isengaged adjacent its free edge by the adhesive applying roll or Wheel56. This provides a relatively narrow strip of adhesive such as isindicated at 21a in Figure 16, whereupon the top wall 21 is thenover-folded by element 71 to extend at a slight angle to the horizontalas it overlies the medial portion of the plate 60.

It will be observed that the foremost end of plate 68 is also cut awayto provide a relatively large recess or opening 72 therein over whichthe inner portion of a carton ejection hold-down plate or element 73 isdisposed. it will be noted that, as each successive pocket 51, 52 ispositioned in alinement with the recess or opening 72; in the front endof plate 68, it is then positioned beneath the rounded or pointed innerportion of the carton ejection hold-down plate 73. This carton ejectionholddown plate 73 is inclined downwardly and to the left in Figure 13 sothat, as the top wall 21 of the carton B is moved a step in an ejectionoperation, by means of a lateral portion 74 on an ejector plunger 75,the carton ejection holddown plate 73 presses the top wall of the cartonB downwardly so that the adhesive surface 21a (Figure .16) engages thethen upper surface of the relatively short top wall flap 20.

Of course, as the ejector plunger 75 moves from right to left in Figure13, it is apparent that this occurs in the interim between successivesteps of the conveyor 47 and, thus, the completed carton formed from ablank B is projected into a horizontal chute or guideway broadlydesignated at 76. It will be noted that the ejection chute or guideway76 is provided with side walls 77, 78 whose lower edges are connected toa bottom wall 81 which is slotted throughout its length, as at 82. Theinner end of each of the side walls 77, 78 of the ejection chute 76 isslotted to form variant length projections 83, 84 thereon whoseinnermost ends are rounded somewhat to guide each successive carton intothe chute 76.

As each successive filled carton is projected into the chute 76,suitable identifying indicia is applied thereto to indicate the color,style, etc. of the article or hose then positioned in the correspondingcarton. To this end, it will be best observed in Figures 13, 14 and 15that a printing device, broadly designated 85, is provided whichcomprises a printing block 86 to the upper surface of which a printingplate 87 is suitably secured, said printing plate 87 having suitableraised letters or other indicating medium thereon. The printing block 86is carried by a vertically reciprocable printing plunger or arm 90 whichis controlled, by means to be later described, to move upwardlyimmediately after a suitable ink pad 91 (Figure 13), impregnated withink, moves inwardly from the position shown in Figure 13 to a positionabove the printing plate 87. Thus, as the plate 87 moves upwardly, itengages the ink pad 91 and some of the ink is thus transferred to theraised characters on the printing plate 87.

The upward movement of the printing plate 87 is uninterrupted, onceeffected, however, the ink pad 91 is then withdrawn and the raisedcharacters on the printing plate 87 subsequently move upwardly throughthe slot 82 in the discharge trackway or guideway 76 and impinge againstthe lower surface of the bottom or body portion 15 of the carton B tothereby provide indicating indicia on each successive carton formed froma blank B.

As the next succeeding carton is ejected from the conveyor 47, itengages the preceding carton and advances the same along the chute orguideway 76 beyond the outer edge of the carton ejection guide plate 73and beneath an intermediate hold-down bar 95 and a pair of resilientclamping elements (Figures 2, l3 and 18) which straddle and extendlongitudinally of the intermediate hold-down bar 95. Although thehold-down bar 95 is spaced substantially above the normal level of theupper surface of each successive filled carton resting upon the bottomwall 81 of the chute 76, this bar 95 is provided to limit upwardmovement of the overfolded cover or top Wall 21 of the correspondingcarton B in the event that it does not initially adhere to the narrowoverfolded flap 20.

As each successive carton passes to a position beneath the resilientclamping elements 76, a clamping plate Q7, to which the clampingelements 96 are suitably secured, is dropped from a raised position sothe clamping elements 96 engage and press the top wall 21 of thecorresponding carton against the portions of the carton therebeneath toparticularly cause the adhesive material applied to the cover or topwall 21 of the carton B to tightly seal the top wall 21 in engagementwith the narrow side overflap 28. The hold-down or clamping plate 97 israised dur ing each movement of the cartons along the chute 76.

It will be observed in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 13 that the chute 76 has apair of longitudinally spaced transverse bars 1%, 101 suitably securedto the upper edges of the walls '77, 78 thereof, to each of which aplurality of leafspring pressure applying plates or members 102 aresuitably secured and which, during the course of further movement ofeach successive carton along the chute 76, applies further pressure tothe upper surfaces of the filled cartons so that, when the cartons arefinally ejected from the free outer end of the guideway or chute 76, thetop walls 21 will have tightly adhered to the upper surfaces of the sideoverfiaps 20.

A suitable container, not shown, may be provided beneath the'free end ofthe discharge chute or guide way 76 for receiving .each successivecarton as it is ejected from the discharge chute 76. The descriptionthus far is given to provide a general understanding of the entiremachine, particularly as to those parts which contact the blank from thetime that it is in its flat stage at the stack to the time at which thecompleted carton is discharged from the machine. The various operatingelements of the machine will now be described in detail.

Frame and machine drive The frame of the machine comprises an elongatedbase 110 to which left-hand and right-hand side frame members 1'11, 111'are suitably secured, the left-hand frame member 111 being spacedinwardly from the left-hand side of the base 110 as is most clearlyshown in Figures 2, 2-A, 4 and 20. The side frame members 111, 111 arespanned by front and rear conveyor-track-supporting transverse framemembers or plates 114 and a pair of spaced transverse first foldingguide supporting frame members 115, 116 (Figures 2-A, 4, 8, l and 12).

The main drive for the machine includes an electric motor 120 fixed on abase 121 (Figures 1 and 2) adjustably supported on a pair of guide rods122 and on a screw 123. The guide rods 122 and screw 123 are mounted instandards 124 fixed to the base 110 and the screw 123 has a hand-wheel125 thereon for adjusting the motor 121} longitudinally of the base 110.The shaft of the electric motor 120 has a variable pitch pulley assembly126 mounted thereon which is engaged by an endless belt 127 (Figures 1,2, 4 and 6). The endless belt 127 is also mounted on a relatively largepulley 130 fixed on the outer end of a shaft 131 journaled in a standardor bracket 132 fixed to the base 110. Shaft 131 is also journaled in theleft-hand side frame member 111.

A pinion 133, also fixed on shaft 131, engages a relatively large gear134 fixed on the outer end of a shaft 135 (Figure 2-A) journaled inbracket 132 and in the lefthand side frame member 111. Shaft 135 alsohas a relatively small gear or pinion 136 fixed thereon which engagesand continuously imparts rotation to a relatively large gear 137 looseon a shaft 140 journaled in the standard or bracket 132 and in both sideframe members 111, 111' (Figures 4, 7, 8A, and 12). The gear 137 alsohas a sprocket wheel 141 fixed thereon which drives the gluing mechanismor adhesive applying mechanism 55 in 'a manner to be later described.

The gear 137 also has a clutch plate 142 fixed to the inner surfacethereof which is a part of a manually controlled single-revolutionclutch mechanism which may be of any desired construction and is shownas being of a type disclosed in Figures 34 to 37, inclusive, of US.Patent No. 2,677,221 issued to Grover C. Currie et al. Accordingly, onlyso much of the single-revolution mechanism will be described as isnecessary to a clear understanding of the present invention. It will beobserved in Figures 3 and 12 that the periphery of the disk or clutchplate 142 is provided with a plurality of circularly spaced notches 143,any one of which may be engaged by a dog, not shown in the presentdrawings, but being clearly shown in said patent, carried by a clutcharm 144 fixed on the dog shaft 140. The dog and clutch ann 144 arenormally maintained stationary by a knife mechanism 145 mounted on alever 158 normally urged upwardly into engagement with the arm 144 by atension spring 151.

The arm 150 is fixed on one end of a transverse rocker shaft 152suitably journaled in the side frame member 111, 1111' (Figures 2--A, 4,7, -8-A, 10 and 12). The end of rocker-shaft 152 remote from the clutchoperating lever 150 hash-crank 153 fixed thereon to which one end of-anadjustable link 154' is pivotally connected. The lower end of link 154is pivotally connected to a treadle plate 155. The treadle plate 155 isfixed on a shaft 156 (Figure 12) journaled in bearing blocks 157 fixedto the corresponding side of the base 110.

It is thus seen that an operator sitting or standing ad jacent theright-hand side of the machine and laterally of the cover outfolding ordeflecting rod 53 may depress the treadle plate 155 whenever he desiresto impart a step in movement to the conveyor 47 to effect a cycle in theoperation of the machine. In so doing, the treadle plate 155 causesrocker shaft 152 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 7or in a clockwise direction in Figure 3 to thereby move the clutchactuating lever 150 downwardly (and thereby effecting an operation ofthe single revolutionclutch) so the disk 142 then imparts a completerevolution to the clutch arm 144 and shaft 140.

Drive for conveyor With each complete revolution of the cam shaft 140,in the manner heretofore described, a single step in movement isimparted to the main conveyor 47 in a manner which will now be describedin detail. It will be observed in Figure 12 that the cam shaft 140 has asprocket wheel 16% fixed thereon which is disposed closely adjacent theinner surface of side frame member 111. By referring to Figures 10 and10-A, it will be observed that the sprocket wheel 160 is engaged by anendless sprocket chain 161 which also engages a sprocket wheel 162(Figure 6) fixed on a second or rear cam shaft 163 suitably journaled inthe side frame members 111, 111'. Suitable means are provided formaintaining tension in the sprocket chain 161 and, referring to Figure10 it will be observed that the sprocket chain 161 is engaged by anidler sprocket wheel 165 journaled .on a stub shaft 166 fixed to one endof an arm 167. The outer end of said arm 167 is adjustably secured tothe inner surface of side frame member 111 by means of a screw 17!). Thearm 167 also has one end of a hand-lever 171 fixed thereto which may bemanipulated by the operator for adjusting the position of the arm 167about the screw 170.

Referring to Figures 6, 7-A and 20, it will be observed that the camshaft 163 has a face cam 173 fixed thereon which is provided with anirregular groove 174 in one side thereof which is engaged by a follower175 projecting outwardly from a follower arm or yoke arm 176 whosebifurcated front end straddles and is guided on the shaft 163. The rearend of the follower arm 176 in Figure 7-A has an overriding mechanismthereon including a pivoted lever 180 which is normally urged upwardlyagainst the rear end of the follower arm 176 by a compression spring181. The compression spring 181 is carried by an adjustment screw 182which loosely penetrates the outer portion of the lever 180 and isthreadably embedded in the rear end of the follower arm 176.

The follower arm 176 and the safety lever or overriding lever 180 arerecessed to form a seat for a stub shaft 183 to which the lower end of asegmental gear arm or lever 184 is fixedly secured. The rearmost end ofthe follower arm 176 has a normally open switch 185 fixed thereto and itis thus seen that, in the event of any obstruction preventingadvancement of the conveyor 47, the follower arm 176 may move rearwardlyrelative to the pivot shaft 183 and seat for the pivot shaft will thusbe moved rearwardly beyond the pivot shaft 183 which will then cause thelever 180 to move away from the main portion of the follower arm 176.This permits the switch 185, which is normally held in closed positionby the lever 180, to open and thereby break the circuit to the electricmotor 126, since the switch 185 is interposed in the circuit to theelectric motor 126.

The segmental gear lever 184 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at186, on a bearing block 187 suitably secured to the outer surface ofthe-side frame member 111. The upper end of lever 184 has a segmental"gear or gear segment 190 fixed thereon or integraltherewith whichmeshes with

